Interested in running for City Council?

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Paperwork is now available at City Hall for those interested in running for City Council in the November election.

These are intriguing times to get involved in City politics as the City Council and staff continue to grapple with the subject of future funding of public safety and the possibility of developing BLM land within the City limits.

At the June 15 meeting, Council listened to a presentation about disincorporation by George Spiliotis of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), followed by a time for questions and answers about how disincorporation and potential annexation with a neighboring city would impact property taxes, assets, zoning ordinances, land use, etc.

A business item calling for an increase in City employee benefits was tabled, after which the Council entered into a lengthy discussion about the City’s fiscal year 2016-17 budget, which does not include an allocation for starting a City Fire Department.

City Accountant Terry Shea talked about different options to pay for fire services, and said it wouldn’t be possible to get Station 60 open with the City’s own staff in 2017-18, based on numbers provided by fire consultant ESCI. He also projected the budget deficit would grow if the City stayed with Riverside County Fire; and, with the Utility User Tax (UUT) scheduled to end in 2020, there would be a negative balance by 2021.

While Mayor Tim Brown and Councilman John Zaitz sought to look at longterm projections, Councilwoman Vickie Warren asked the Council to return to the business item at hand; that is, approval of the 2016-17 budget.

At this point, the vote was called for. The Mayor and Councilman Zaitz voted a resounding “no;” Council members Haggerty, Warren and Ehrenkranz voted “yes” to approve the budget. Afterward, Tim and John walked out of the meeting.

The final item of business was a presentation by City Manager Aaron Palmer, who commented on his discussions with Riverside County Fire and his attempts to get information from CalFire on why Riverside County cities have to pay $500,000 more than other cities in California for CalFire’s services. He said Riverside County Fire offered to continue fire services to Canyon Lake at a cost of $1.8 million the first year, $1.9 the second year and just over $2 million the third year.

Discussion turned to the possibility of a JPA (Joint Powers Authority) with the cities of Idlewild and San Jacinto for police and fire services. Verbatim minutes of this discussion can be viewed in the July 6 City Council Agenda. The eventual goals are to have a three-man engine at Station 60 and to reduce police costs.

A recording of this entire meeting can be viewed at cityofcanyonlake.org (See “City Update,”  click on “Click Here,” then click on “2016.” )

At the July 6 City Council meeting, which occurred after publication deadline, the City Council was scheduled to approve the contracts for fire services and to have a discussion with regard to the potential development of BLM land within the City limits.